What is a Service Dog? Service dogs, also known as service animals, are dogs that receive specialized training to a perform a task directly related to a person’s disability. They are recognized by – and protected under – the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In some instances, miniature horses can also be service animals. However,…
In today’s fast-paced world, efficiency is key, especially when it comes to onboarding Self-direction and enabling individuals with disabilities and those aging in place to live independent lives. Whether you’re a brand-new program participant, a seasoned surrogate employer hiring a new worker, or beginning your rewarding career as a caregiver, ensuring a smooth and compliant…
We can build elevators and put in ramps for those with low mobility. Sign Language interpreters and closed captions can help those who are Deaf. People with vision deficiencies can benefit from large print, Braille, or audiobooks. But how do we make concepts, instructions, and other writings more accessible? One way is following the guidelines…
The overall goal for self-direction in general is to give the elderly and individuals with disabilities their independence, thus creating a naturally inclusive model that strives to serve all populations. While this is true, there are still various populations that go underserved, and that includes the Hispanic population. Below, we discuss the challenges this population…
February 16th is National Caregiver Day, and March 3rd is Caregiver Appreciation Day. In honor of the caregivers who keep our programs going, Palco will be celebrating caregiving during the entire month of March! Caregiver Testimonials We want to hear about your best and brightest caregivers, the ones who are always there in the clutch,…
Palco kicked off 2024 with a new and exciting partnership with the Chanda Center for Health! The Chanda Center for Health’s mission is to deliver, advocate & educate for integrative therapy and other complementary services to reduce health disparities and costs by improving health equity and outcomes for individuals with physical disabilities through the support…
Changing your Financial Management Service (FMS) provider in self-direction can feel like a daunting task, but it does not have to be with a qualified vendor. Partnering with a vendor who is seasoned in FMS work and has successfully transitioned many large programs can make a world of difference. Palco knows that the most critical…
On December 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) presented guidance* to states to leverage worker registries to boost beneficiaries’ access to home- and community-based services (HCBS). While the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) helped HCBS programs tremendously, ARPA says that “states must use funds to implement or supplement activities to enhance, expand,…
We’ve all heard and read about depression during the holiday season, but it can especially ring true for seniors and people with disabilities for a myriad of reasons. There is also tons of real data to back up the fact that a countless Americans feel this burden during this season. Along with that data, as…
Self-direction is a model of long-term care that helps people—of all ages with varying disabilities—live independent lives in their own homes. Self-direction began in the 1980’s during a movement to de-institutionalize people with disabilities from settings like nursing homes and hospitals and get them back into the community receiving their care. According to the AARP…